The England international missed the entirety of pre-season with an injury sustained last April, but made his return for the club's reserves against Swansea on Monday night.

Shaw and Ashley Young each played an hour for Ricky Sbragia's side and the 22-year-old was in confident mood after his first competitive minutes of the season.

"[It felt] very good. I think me and Ash, we both really needed that. I felt like I could have gone on longer but 60 minutes was the aim at the start," he said.

"We were told we would play 45 to 60 minutes so 60 was great for me. I’m feeling really good and I want to push on from here."

Once returning to full fitness, the left-back is competing for minutes with Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian in defence, but he believes that Mourinho has been entirely honest about what he expects from his players and the games on offer for each member of the squad in a congested campaign.

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Added Shaw: "We’ve had discussions but the main ones we’ve had so far are about how my injury is, how I'm feeling. I told him straight how I was feeling and that’s good.

"He tells us all straight what he wants and how it’s going to plan out for the games we have. We’ve got so many games this season and it was the same last season. The games will be bigger this season because we’re back in the Champions League and more of a challenge. We’re all up for it.

"Everyone is training hard because everyone wants to be on that pitch in the important games. We’re all fighting for a place and now it’s my time to fight for my place."

It was a productive hour for Shaw at Leigh Sports Village, and Mourinho would have been encouraged to see his young full back bounce back up after a heavy challenge that left him sprawling on the turf.

Luke Shaw was in positive mood after returning against Swansea

But he insists the experience was all positive and he is in a stronger position this season than last.

"One of the lads on the pitch said ‘that mustn’t have been good for you’ but I said ‘no, listen, I need to go through this’ because after you’ve been out for a while, you need those tackles earlier on than later because sometimes you think about it," explained Shaw.

"I feel strong, feel like normal and now I just need to keep fit and push on.

"When I look back at the [injury] I had last time, I think I’ve came back stronger this time and more positive. Now it’s about getting time on the pitch. I’m feeling really good and hungry for this season."

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After a taste of the action, Shaw is now keen to return to first team contention, but admits it won't be easy to dislodge a winning formula.

He said: "It’s down to the manager now. We’ve had two very impressive 4-0 wins so it’s going to be challenging to get back into the team. But that’s why I’ve come to United because I want to be in the team and I want to be playing week in, week out.